Preliminary identification
Photo reference
2 uploaded photos
Overview
This is a beautifully molded, hand-painted earthenware relief plaque depicting the Madonna cradling the infant Jesus. Designed after the artwork of Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel, it features the signature soft, stylized features and gentle earth-toned palette that made her illustrations famous worldwide.
Story
Created in Bavaria, this plaque brought comfort to post-WWII homes. Sister Hummel's gentle art, originally drawn in a Franciscan convent, became a global symbol of peace and innocence during a time of recovery.
Maker / Origin
Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel was a German Franciscan sister and artist whose drawings of cheerful children caught the eye of Franz Goebel in the 1930s. Goebel transformed her sketches into three-dimensional ceramic figurines and plaques, launching a collecting phenomenon that spanned decades.
Condition & Value
The plaque shows some surface dust and minor wear consistent with age, but the glaze and hand-painted details remain vibrant. There is a partial vintage paper label on the back, and the original hanging cord is still attached. No visible chips or cracks. Excellent condition commands a premium.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Build on this identification
Layer in sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance.
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.